Non-Surgical Nose Job? With a Device?
If you believe what’s published in some of the more wacky corners of the Internet, you can enhance your bust line with a pump-like device, reduce man boobs with pills and achieve the look of a facelift with simple exercises. So why not consider a DIY nose job? Devices abound nowadays that promise non-surgical rhinoplasty results at a fraction of the cost of cosmetic surgery. Why not try one?
The Simple Truth About Nose Reshaping Devices
Many of the nose reshaping tools available today “work” by squeezing the bones and cartilage externally. Most look like clamps or clips and cost less than $30. You can find a few under $10 and some for less than $5.
No matter how many testimonials the websites publish, how many sets of before and after photos they display and all the quotes from doctors they feature—these nose reshaping “innovations” do not work. The truth is that once you’ve aged beyond infancy, the bones and cartilage of your nose cannot be reshaped without surgery. You can pinch, squeeze and tug, but your nose will bounce right back.
Hidden Dangers
Most nose re-shapers are relatively harmless, truth be told. They will waste a few dollars for those who try them, but most people suffer no long-term damage from using one of the devices. In the worst cases, when people use clamps overzealously, they can cause swelling and may impact breathing.
Some reshaping devices are meant to be placed inside the nostrils. These curved inserts can make your nose appear a bit straighter and narrower while they are worn. Doctors caution that even if you should find them comfortable for extended periods, with long-term use the splints can irritate tissues, cause bleeding and even damage your skin. Generally speaking, it’s just not a good idea to place foreign bodies inside the nose.
Less Invasive Nose Job Options
Actually, it is possible to change the look of your nose without surgery. For a patient who wants to build up the bridge, subtly change nostril shape or disguise a small bump, injectable fillers can be an option. In the hands of an experienced cosmetic surgeon, your nose can be refined at much less cost than with rhinoplasty surgery and no downtime.
There are two major drawbacks you need to understand before considering fillers instead of nose job surgery. One is that the results will be temporary—a few to several months at best. Even if you are perfectly satisfied with the appearance of your nose following treatment with Juvederm, Radiesse or another filler, you’ll need treatment after treatment. The ultimate expense can eclipse that of surgery. The other drawback is that fillers are only good options for some patients. If you have a prominent hump or bump, if your nose is noticeably crooked, or if you want to narrow any part of the nose or refine the tip, injectables are not the solution.
Rhinoplasty is Tried and True
There’s a reason rhinoplasty is considered a tried and true plastic surgery procedure: it works and it’s permanent. Yes, you will need to schedule several days of down time, and it will cost more than $30. But if your nose truly bothers you and you feel it’s not the right size and shape for your face, traditional rhinoplasty is an option you should consider. Find a skilled, board certified plastic surgeon with an excellent reputation and hundreds or even thousands of nose jobs to his or her credit. You can start with a no-obligation consultation and compare what you discover with other options you may be thinking about.
We have performed rhinoplasty in New York for so many men, women and teens—for the most part they are average people who just have this one issue with their appearance. We find the majority research their choices, think long and hard about whether a nose job is the right move, make the decision, and then go about their lives with more confidence and satisfaction.
Could this be you?
